First-Time Freshmen will be considered automatically for merit scholarships upon admission to JSU. Merit scholarships cannot stack with Leadership or JSU Honors Scholarship, but can stack with competitive and talent based scholarships. Out-of-state students receiving a merit-based scholarship or grant will qualify to pay their remaining tuition balance at the in-state rate.
- Academic merit scholarships are awarded based on students' highest cumulative high school GPA
- Awarded scholarships will be applied to your student account beginning in your first fall semester and can be redeemed for 8 semesters (cannot be applied to summer terms). Students who are admitted and begin during the Spring semester will receive 7 semesters of their merit scholarship
- Students who have a composite test score (ACT/SAT) on file may qualify for a higher-valued scholarship
- Test scores will not have the ability to lower your scholarship amount, only improve it
For Fall 2025 admits, test scores received by May 1, 2025 will be evaluated for potential scholarship increases. For Spring 2025 admits, test scores received by December 1, 2024 will be evaluated for potential scholarship increases.
Merit-Based Scholarships (GPA-Based)
Gamecock Achievement
| High School GPA |
Total Annual Amount |
Total 4-Year Amount |
| 3.75 - 3.99 |
$6,000 |
$24,000 |
| 4.0 + |
$7,000 |
$28,000 |
Gamecock Success
| High School GPA |
Total Annual Amount |
Total 4-Year Amount |
| 3.00 - 3.49 |
$4,000 |
$16,000 |
| 3.5 - 3.74 |
$5,000 |
$20,000 |
Gamecock Opportunity
| High School GPA |
Total Annual Amount |
Total 4-Year Amount |
| 2.00 - 2.49 |
$1,000 |
$4,000 |
| 2.5 - 2.74 |
$2,000 |
$8,000 |
| 2.75 - 2.99 |
$3,000 |
$12,000 |
Merit-Based Scholarships (Test Score & GPA-Based)
Gamecock Prestige
| 31+ on your ACT or 1390+ on your SAT |
| High School GPA |
Total Annual Amount |
Total 4-Year Amount |
| 2.00 - 2.99 |
$5,000 |
$20,000 |
| 3.00 - 4.00+ |
$10,500 |
$42,000 |
Gamecock Excellence
| 29-30 ACT or a 1330-1380 SAT |
| High School GPA |
Total Annual Amount |
Total 4-Year Amount |
| 2.00 - 2.99 |
$4,000 |
$16,000 |
| 3.00 - 3.24 |
$9,000 |
$36,000 |
| 3.25 - 3.49 |
$10,000 |
$40,000 |
| 3.50 - 4.00 |
$10,500 |
$42,000 |
Gamecock Tradition
| 26-28 ACT or 1230-1320 SAT |
| High School GPA |
Total Annual Amount |
Total 4-Year Amount |
| 2.00 - 2.99 |
$3,000 |
$12,000 |
| 3.00 - 3.24 |
$5,000 |
$20,000 |
| 3.25 - 3.49 |
$7,000 |
$28,000 |
| 3.50 - 3.74 |
$8,000 |
$32,000 |
| 3.75 - 4.00 |
$9,000 |
$36,000 |
Gamecock Advantage
| 15-25 ACT or 830-1220 SAT |
| High School GPA |
Total Annual Amount |
Total 4-Year Amount |
| 2.00 - 2.49 |
$2,000 |
$8,000 |
International Merit Scholarship
| High School GPA* |
Total Annual Amount |
Total 4-Year Amount |
| All Admitted Freshmen |
$5,000 |
$20,000 |
Gamecock Grant
If you've been accepted to JSU but do not qualify for any of the merit-based scholarships listed above you may still qualify for the Gamecock Grant. Out-of-state students receiving a merit-based scholarship or grant will qualify to pay their remaining tuition balance at the in-state rate. Please note that some forms of institutional grants, including the Gamecock Grant, may not apply to students receiving athletic aid.
The Gamecock Grant pays $1,000 annually, with a 4-year amount of $4,000.
Competitive, Leadership, Honors, and Performance Scholarships
View Competitive and Foundation Scholarships
Merit scholarships are renewable for 4 years or 8 semesters so long as students successfully earn 24 institutional credit hours per academic year and maintain the institutional GPA as listed in their scholarship contract. Students must be enrolled in at least 12 hours (full-time) each semester to receive their scholarship award. Upon graduation from an undergraduate program, any remaining semesters of merit scholarship aid may be used for graduate tuition as long as the student enrolls in a graduate program within one year of the student's graduation date. Students must notify the Financial Aid Office of their intent to use their scholarship funds for a graduate program. All merit scholarship eligibility criteria will still apply (full-time status, GPA, etc.). Please note, scholarships will be awarded in Fall and Spring semesters only.
